Robinson Crusoe Island, Chile

Famous for being the island where Alexander Selkirk was stranded in 1704, Robinson Crusoe Island has a rich history full of sailors and pirates alike. The island was originally named Juan Fernandez, but after Daniel Defoe’s Selkirk inspired novel came out, it was renamed to match the book. The solitary town on the island holds approximately 500 people who make their living on the lobster trade and seasonal tourism. Robinson Crusoe Island is a National Park that is home to more native plant and bird species than can be found even in the Galapagos. Its rolling landscape is perfect for hiking and exploring, while the ocean offers spectacular scuba diving opportunities with abundant marine life and curious seals. Sample the island’s traditional cuisine and take in the beauty of the Pacific Ocean.